Joaquin Phoenix one of the most committed actors of his generation just recently stormed off set from Todd Haynes' untitled 1930s gay detective noir in the middle of filming. This came as a surprise only five days before the shoot was scheduled to commence, and fans, critics, and those within the entertainment business could not understand.
The project at the time was in pre-production with international sales secured, a crew in Guadalajara, Mexico, and sets prepared. However, he never escaped Los Angeles, the very city that was home to the ghetto. This movie is now seemingly left hanging by the director, Haynes, as well as Phoenix who was actively involved from the script stage.
While the news was officially announced on November 20, 2019, Christine Vachon, a producer and a longtime Haynes' collaborator, described the state of things as a “nightmare” on social media The actress highlighted that Phoenix was not just cast in the film, but it was him who came up with the idea and insisted that Haynes work on the project. She also debunk the notion that Phoenix walked out because of the raunchiness of the scenes, adding that he had encouraged more extreme scenes that may warrant an NC-17 rating.
In fact, Phoenix turns her back on this project she loves – why? It is still uncertain what exactly prompted these changes, but their consequences are far-reaching. The film's cancellation is thus not only a loss to the fans but also to everyone who had committed resources to the project.
This situation raises many important issues: the repercussions of canceling the show on Phoenix's image and potential partnership as well as the crew and Killer Films financially. One thing is certain: The excitement that this drama has created in Hollywood's summer 2024 cannot be compared to any other event.
What do you think led Joaquin Phoenix to abandon such a bold project at the last minute, and how do you believe this decision will impact his career and the film industry?
